By Jordan Long
The New Orleans Saints are 0-2 in the preseason after losing to the Green Bay Packers last Friday, 20-10. New Orleans faces the L.A. Chargers on Friday to end their preseason slate. They start the regular season on September 11th when they travel to Atlanta. Star wide receiver Michael Thomas is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Thomas is entering his 7th year in the NFL. New Orleans drafted him in the 2nd-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Thomas became one of their best wide receivers breaking the 1,000-yard mark from 2016 to 2019. Thomas’ highest total came in 2019 when he had 1,725 receiving yards.
In 2020, Thomas appeared in 7 games. He was still productive with 438 receiving yards. He was dealing with an ankle sprain that limited his game. The Saints, though, earned a playoff spot that year. They were knocked off in the Divisional Round by Tampa Bay 30-20, the last game the Saints saw Thomas on the field. In the postseason run, Thomas wasn’t the same receiver, totaling 5 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. The Saints were anticipating he would heal up in the offseason.
Last year Thomas didn’t play a single down for the Saints. He underwent ankle surgery in the offseason. The Saints were hoping he would be back in the lineup but that never happened. They shut him down for good on November 3rd, 2021. Going into this year, the Saints were anticipating Thomas would be healthy and ready to go. He was expected to resume his role as their #1 wide receiver. This was going to give quarterback Jameis Winston a large target to throw to.
Thomas though is now dealing with a hamstring issue. The Saints don’t know if or when he will be back in the lineup. At least the Saints have depth if he can’t go. They have Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave.
Jarvis Landry is entering his 9th season and his first with the Saints. He has played for Cleveland and Miami. Landry is a pretty good option. He surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2015, 2016, and 2019. Overall in his career, Landry totaled 7,598 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. He is the #1 wide receiver if Thomas is unable to play.
Olave is a rookie. The Saints picked him 11th overall in this years’ NFL Draft. Olave hasn’t played a single down in the NFL yet. They want him to grow at the NFL level.
The Saints are looking to improve on their 9-8 record. They want Thomas out on the field to help this team win. The Saints need to be smart with his hamstring injury. The worst case is Thomas isn’t 100% and can’t play. At least then the Saints have two wide receivers who they hope can replace his production.
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